RESOURCES

Resources

The Alberta Mycological Society has developed an EDUCATIONAL POSTER (pdf 251 k) about our provincial mushroom, Leccinum boreale, which we hope will become Alberta’s next official provincial emblem. We have also developed a BOOKMARK (pdf 27 k) that highlights this mushroom. This poster and bookmarks were developed with partial funding by grants from the Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Community Development (Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation).

In 2007, we published our first theme poster – SOME EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF ALBERTA (pdf 840 k). Since that time we have produced Medicinal Mushrooms of Alberta and Poisonous Mushrooms of Alberta.

The Alberta Mycological Society frequently uses the following books to identify fungi. Keep in mind, these books cover only a small portion of all fungi in their respective region. Hence, it is possible that you will find fungi that are not described in any of these books. That is the nature of mycology.

This is the book that we recommend most to our members, as many of the specimens shown are found in Alberta: Schalkwijk-Barendsen, H.M.E. 1991. Mushrooms of Western Canada. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, AB, Canada. pp. 416. [Also published as: Mushrooms of Northwest North America.]. (available from AMS)

Key to Alberta Edible Mushrooms (Note: Key should be used with “Mushrooms of Western Canada”. The key is designed to help narrow the field of possibilities. Should never be used without more detailed descriptions provided in field guides. Always confirm your choice with a good field guide)

Mushroom Poisoning Syndromes – Published by the North American Mushroom Association, this resource provides some educational information on different symptoms that may present when mushrooms are consumed.

For our furry friends, NAMA also published this resource on mushroom poisoning in dogs and cats.

CAUTION!
Please use the utmost caution when considering whether or not to eat a fungus. If you do not absolutely know what you have picked, DO NOT EAT IT!!!! Always remember, eating fungi can be dangerous and the effects vary from person to person. If you have properly identified an edible mushroom, always eat a small portion first and keep some of the mushroom in your refrigerator in case your body reacts adversely to it. This eases the diagnosis in case of mushroom poisoning. Please report all mushroom poisonings to Contact Us. Happy shrooming to you all…

Foray Newfoundland and Labrador – Foray Newfoundland and Labrador is a not-for-profit organization conducting amateur mushroom forays in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Join them at the Viking Foray for the International Year of Biodiversity.